Aircraft Rotary Controller Haptic Feedback Profiles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aircraft cockpit interface systems with rotary members lack clear haptic feedback, making it difficult for users to discern system states and consequences of actions, leading to increased user attention and potential errors due to unclear feedback during flight operations.
Innovation Solution
The interface system employs a haptic feedback generator that produces distinct haptic profiles based on aircraft system states and man-machine interface states, providing differentiated torque and notch intensities to enhance user understanding of system configurations and actions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a rotary member is used to control display device targets, then navigation and parameter adjustment capability is improved, but user perception of system state and action consequences deteriorates due to lack of clear haptic feedback
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a haptic feedback generator that provides tactile feedback to the user during rotary member operation. The feedback includes resistance torque that varies according to the selected descent mode, and audible feedback that announces the current mode. This feedback mechanism allows the user to perceive the system state and understand the consequences of their actions without needing to visually track the display, thereby resolving the information loss problem while maintaining ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses audible feedback as a sensory analog to visual color changes. Different descent modes are announced through distinct audible signals or voice announcements, allowing the user to perceive the current system state through sound rather than sight. This sensory substitution enables the user to understand system configuration without visual attention, addressing the information perception issue
2Ease of operation
If constant torque is applied to the rotary member, then rotational control is simplified, but user awareness of current field and parameter type deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the torque characteristic dynamic rather than constant. The haptic feedback generator adjusts the resistance torque based on the current system state, including the selected descent mode and the type of parameter being adjusted. This dynamic torque provides the user with tactile cues about the current field and parameter type, enabling awareness without compromising rotational control simplicity
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple descent modes are available, then system versatility is improved, but user error risk increases due to unclear mode differentiation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent provides distinct haptic and audible feedback for each descent mode. The resistance torque characteristic changes according to the selected mode, and audible feedback announces the current mode selection. This differentiated feedback allows the user to clearly distinguish between multiple descent modes, preventing erroneous selections while maintaining system versatility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent assigns unique haptic characteristics to different descent modes through the haptic feedback generator. Each mode has its specific torque profile or resistance pattern, creating locally differentiated quality in the feedback. This allows the user to identify the current mode through tactile sensation alone, ensuring reliable mode selection even when multiple modes are available
4Measurement precision
If user attention is required to track system state, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to diverted attention from flight operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automatic haptic and audible feedback that continuously informs the user of the current system state without requiring active visual monitoring. The feedback is provided passively during normal operation, maintaining precise system state awareness while freeing the user's attention for flight operations, thereby improving productivity without sacrificing measurement precision
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution improves user interaction by providing clear, context-dependent haptic feedback, reducing errors and enhancing operational efficiency by allowing users to better perceive system states and actions, thus improving flight operations.
Implementation Method 1
a haptic feedback generator on the rotary member during its rotation... the haptic feedback generator is able to generate at least two distinct haptic profiles on the rotary member... a torque according to the haptic profile generated during the rotation of the rotary member by the user
Data Source
AI summary
An interface system between a user and a display device in the cockpit of an aircraft, related aircraft and method are provided. The system includes a rotary controller configured to control a target on the display device; a target manager, controlled by the rotary controller for moving the target on the display device during the rotation of the rotary controller and/or for interacting with a field targeted by the target during the rotation of the rotary controller; a haptic feedback generator on the rotary controller during its rotation. The haptic feedback generator is configured to generate at least two distinct haptic profiles on the rotary controller depending on distinct system states and/or distinct man-machine interface states of the aircraft.